Blessed is the Man - Trevor Matthews

Psalm 1 1 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 - The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 - Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 -For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 'O the Happinesses of the Man' Paraphrasing the very first verse of the Book of Psalms, Trevor Matthews of the Faith Mission declares 'O the happinesses of the man'. He is referring to the abundance of the joy in the life of the man described in Psalm 1, a man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. His delight is in the law of the Lord. This is a godly man, an individual who knows their sins forgiven and has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Path of the Godly Man The opening verse of Psalm 1 describes the path which this man takes. He takes his standards for living from the Scriptures, and not from the world around. His counsel is in the Christ and not of the ungodly. So many in this world take their standards from the immoral acts of soap stars, actors and sportsmen, but if we, as Believers, honour God then He will honour us (1 Samuel 2:30). The verse also shows the danger and depth of sin. This man avoids walking with sinners, because if he walks with sinners, he will stand with sinners, and if he stands with sinners, he will sit with them in seat of the scornful. Therefore the godly man does not walk in the company of sinful men for fear that he himself will become scornful to the Gospel. The Pleasure of the Godly Man In verse two we discover the pleasure of the godly man, whose delight is in the law of the Lord. He has an affection towards the Word of God, and is fully attentive to its instruction. It is his spiritual food, necessary for the growth and development of his spiritual walk with God. He medidates daily upon it, chewing over the depth of the Word of God, as it fills his thoughts, leaving little room for the concerns of the world. The Prosperity of the Godly Man In verse three, the godly man is a prosperous man, like a growing, thriving tree. He is like a tree that has been very carefully and particularly planted by the side of the river, giving him the full benefit of its nutrients, water and wildlife. God has specifically chosen this man, and saved him. Likewise he has chosen out His children, and planted them beside the river of His goodness. In Christ we lack nothing, growing daily in His love. As evidence of this growth, we produce fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), the proof of new life in Christ. This true growth in Christ is not a temporary outcome, but a permanent change in the life of a Christian, whose leaf shall not wither (John 10:28), but will prosper in Christ. But the ungodly are not so... The rest of the Psalm goes on to remind us of the many who know not Christ as their Saviour. There is no depth and certainty to their lives, but rather they are as chaff which is blown about by the wind. They shall not stand in the day of judgement, but will perish eternally in hell. Are you part of the congregation of the righteous? Have you had your sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ? Is your delight in the law of the Lord?